The traffic copper - PC Nuttall - pulled over the silver Volkswagen and seized the car after discovering the motorist was behind the wheel illegally.

The car was stopped on Avonmouth Road in Shirehampton, Bristol, on Monday.

But the driver then explained he had been taking his girlfriend out to pop the question - and asked if the cop would take a picture.

Incredibly the Avon and Somerset Constabulary bobby agreed and then TWEETED a picture of the newly engaged happy couple - after she said yes.

A post on the Tri-Force Police Twitter account said: "#UnforgetableProposal This couple were stopped by PC Nuttall in Shirehampton and after having the vehicle seized for no insurance the man said he was taking his girlfriend out to propose, so asked PC Nuttall to film as he asked her at the roadside!

A post was later added which said: "For clarity, the vehicle was seized and recovered, and the driver prosecuted for the offence.

“At no point was there a suggestion that the officer hasn't dealt with this incident appropriately.”

However, Vince Danley wrote: "If the police are accepting sob stories and excuses in lieu of insurance, then I could save myself a few quid. I have loads."

And social media user Debz replied: "This has got to be a joke?

"You’re basically celebrating a criminal. Moral of the story is, commit a crime, give a sob story and PC Nuttall will let you off."

Another person named Pearl wrote: "Next they will be congratulating him for robbing a jewellers for an engagement ring."

And James Atkinson wrote: "Jesus guys, stop looking at life so damn negatively... yeah, Driver was a d--k, yeah, he got prosecuted, yeah, he’s human and wants to marry the woman he loves!! It’s a strange story, it put a weird twist to my dull morning... urgh humans."

Another user added: "Great work and a great bit of public engagement. The positive experience is likely to act as a reminder for a very long time."